Systems and methods described herein are for high throughput object handling and X-Ray screening systems. Material handling systems can adopt the proposed system to assist with the transportation of objects into X-Ray screening machines populated with lead curtains to curtail radiation emissions. The lead curtains associated with X-Ray screening machines can cause numerous problems to the safe and secure transportation of the objects. The systems and methods proposed control several aspects of the object handling to overcome the problems associated with the lead curtains. The system and methods results in the increase of system throughput, improved efficiency, reduction in line stoppages and general wear and tear. Systems can include a smart conveyor that assists objects through lead curtains using flights that are raised behind the trailing edge of the objects. The system can include smart conveyors and control systems that communicate with the X-Ray machine regarding the identity and status of the objects.

A sorting support apparatus is provided with: an input part that inputs a transmission image obtained by radiating an inspection target with electromagnetic waves; a storage part that stores a plurality of learning models optimized respectively for at least one article and being associated with an assumed usage condition; and a determination part that selects one of the learning models based on a specified usage condition and uses the learning model to determine whether or not the one or more articles is contained in the inspection target.

The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a remaining operating period of a detector unit for a radiometric, density- or fill-level measuring device. The detector unit includes a photomultiplier. In such method, the control voltage of the photomultiplier is registered over at least one predetermined time period, a time rate of change function is ascertained based on control voltage registered during the predetermined time period, and the remaining operating period until reaching a maximum control voltage is calculated by means of the time rate of change function and a current control voltage, which is present at the current operating time. The method of the present disclosure permits approximation of the remaining operating period of the detector unit and, thus, timely learning of when required maintenance measures, especially aging related replacement of the photomultiplier, must be performed.

An X-ray imaging inspection system for inspecting items comprises an X-ray source 10 extending around an imaging volume 16, and defining a plurality of source points 14 from which X-rays can be directed through the imaging volume. An X-ray detector array 12 also extends around the imaging volume 16 and is arranged to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the imaging volume, and to produce output signals dependent on the detected X-rays. A conveyor 20 is arranged to convey the items through the imaging volume 16.

An X-ray imaging inspection system for inspecting items comprises an X-ray source 10 extending around an imaging volume 16, and defining a plurality of source points 14 from which X-rays can be directed through the imaging volume. An X-ray detector array 12 also extends around the imaging volume 16 and is arranged to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the imaging volume, and to produce output signals dependent on the detected X-rays. A conveyor 20 is arranged to convey the items through the imaging volume 16.

A method for the inspection of contained flowable materials within containers, such as detecting an explosive liquid in a luggage, and an apparatus for performing the method are described. The method includes the steps of: performing a radiation scan, using X-rays or Gamma rays, of a target item container of contained flowable material in a radiation scanning system to derive a spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved measured dataset of the intensity of radiation emergent from the target item; considering the spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved dataset of transmitted radiation intensity to be nominally determined in accordance with a relationship: [O].Math.[]=[] where the operators [] and [] define, respectively, physical parameters describing the liquid and the container and the system response and the operator [O] defines the relationships between the system response and the liquid and container parameters; numerically processing the measured dataset by operator inversion in order to derive a best fit solution of: []=[O].sup.1.Math.[]; and using that derived solution to determine the threat status of the target item.

A method, an apparatus and a system relate to processing a transport container for objects of value, particularly value documents, such as for example banknotes. The method comprises the steps of feeding the transport container to an apparatus for processing the transport container, opening the transport container in the apparatus, emptying the objects of value from the transport container, and checking the transport container for a residual quantity. For the check, electromagnetic radiation is applied to the transport container, wherein a transmission image of the transport container is produced by means of the electromagnetic radiation. The residual quantity in the transport container is deduced by means of the analysis of the transmission image.

The present specification discloses systems and methods for identifying and reporting contents of a tanker, container or vehicle. Programmatic tools are provided to assist an operator in analyzing contents of a tanker, container or vehicle. Manifest data is automatically imported into the system for each shipment, thereby helping security personnel to quickly determine container contents. In case of a mismatch between container contents shown by manifest data and the contents as ascertained from the scanning system, the container or vehicle may be withheld for further inspection.

A method for assigning attributes to an unknown object includes the steps of scanning the unknown object at least partially overlapping with a background object within an x-ray scanning device to provide dual-energy attenuation images having dual-energy attenuation information representing an overlap region wherein the background object and the unknown object overlap, decomposing the attenuation images into reference material equivalent path length images, removing the background object to provide reference material equivalent path lengths representing the unknown object, converting the reference material equivalent path lengths representing the unknown object into unknown object path lengths multiplied by a predetermined scaling factor, reducing the scaling factor to provide a contour of the unknown object and unknown object path lengths, and, determining a density and effective atomic number of the unknown object.

The present specification provides a detector for an X-ray imaging system. The detector includes at least one high resolution layer having high resolution wavelength-shifting optical fibers, each fiber occupying a distinct region of the detector, at least one low resolution layer with low resolution regions, and a single segmented multi-channel photo-multiplier tube for coupling signals obtained from the high resolution fibers and the low resolution regions.